Discovering the Coral Coast . . .

To discover the Coral Coast of Western Australia we were heading north of Perth

landscape rapidly changing from city to sandy west coast for what it is worth

further along landscape like the moon, with limestone peaks all round

due to onshore strong winds, stunted trees, growing almost parralel to ground

Travelling Australia, nearly forgot to visit charming Coral Coast

where the Murchison River flows into Indian Ocean, Kalbarry your host

the climate sunny, warm, experiences that only occur once in a lifetime

wild flowers you've never seen before, exotic shapes, perfumed, sublime

Calm waters in estuaries for swimming, by towering cliffs be awestruck

surfing, water skiing, fishing off beach, catching that big one, your luck

want more, go canoeing or hire a boat and enjoy a cruising , lazy day

see dolphins, whales, up close, take pictures to remember your stay

Shopping, accommodation, variety immense, magnificient shopping mall

holiday resorts or just pitching a tent,emergency services on call

nature lovers, Kalbarry National Park close by, nature's paradise found

glimpses of river, magnificient gorges, their brilliant colours will astound

Interesting views of river, waterfalls, taking many days to fully explore

incredible scenery, rock formations framing river, sometimes far below

endangered species of birds, a parrot sanctuary in town, a must see

daily feeding of pelicans on foreshore, stroll downtown or see a movie

Stargazing, songs by campfire, fantastic sunsets, like nowhere else, watch

changing colours of multi-coloured cliffs, never seen such display match

abseiling, sight seeing flight along coastline, there is an internet cafe

if you have the time, to keep your friends and family informed of stay

Started with Shell Beach, in setting sun white as snow, a promising start

to enjoy holidays at Kalbarry is easy, one doesn't have to try very hard

returning home, stories to tell, adventures relived, it was only a week

wondering why we didn't do it before, must go back for another peek

A VALLEY SO REMOTE . . .

Australia is full of hidden beautiful places, some no doubt will spring instantly to mind

having found your own that's where you go to leave cares of today's world behind

a place of utter silence, peace, picture-book prettiness, unsurpassed anywhere else

when only being there a short time, one's body and mind already different story tell

Brindabella Valley, down arduous, winding, precipitious winding track, seemingly no end

not for the faint hearted, one is rewarded with magnificient vistas round every bend

finally reaching, after having closed last gate, crossed last river, valley floor

the magic happens, feeling of utter peace, never anywhere else has it happened before

Sounds of nature, wind singing in trees, rippling sparse grass, in distance cows call

old homestead, slab huts, rusting old machinery, on surrounding hills a waterfall

some buildings been, with much effort, carefully restored, to others a lot more to do

some horses, goats, chooks, sheep, peacefully grazing, here, there a kangaroo

What better way to start new day, up early, enjoy morning air, contemplate the overall

sunrise, cup of tea on verandah, easy chair, silence of nature, here and there birds call

no lack of hospitality, nothing is much effort by those who live here day in day out

taking you horse riding, hiking, go fly fishing in unspoilt river for rainbow trout

There's old suspension bridge across river, ancient farming tools on slab hut wall

rusting carcasses of farm implements of old, slowly succumbing to nature's call

signs of Aboriginal presence in distant past, some caves in distant hills, secret sites

it was told they came here to feast on bogong moths, socialise, hold tribal rites

Gunmetal glimmer of water betrays river's chilly path, tumbling gently over rocks

the valley still enjoys different seasons, distinctions of time of year nature here mocks

Brindaballa Valley means different things to different people, it could be paradise or hell

there's more to explore, even to just escape the daily grind, to go again, time will tell

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